Photo Attribution: US Presswire
With the news that J.W. Walsh will be sidelined for the rest of the season a lot of people have asked about the viability of redshirting both he and Wes Lunt for the remainder of the year.
First of all, neither can receive a regular redshirt. If you play one play during the regular season in any sport you are ineligible to receive a regular redshirt (plus Walsh already received one last year).
But there are four criteria for receiving a medical redshirt. Let’s take a look at each of them individually and see if Walsh or Lunt qualifies.
First up — Walsh
1. The student-athlete must suffer the injury during one of their four seasons of college competition or during the senior year of high school.
Check.
2. The injury must occur prior to the start of the second half of the season.
Check, barely.
3. The student-athlete must not have competed in more than 30% of the season or three contests, whichever is greater.
Negative, Walsh has played in all six games which, even if you include the bowl game, is 46% of the season. So Walsh is not a candidate for a medical redshirt.
OK, on to Lunt.
1. The student-athlete must suffer the injury during one of their four seasons of college competition or during the senior year of high school.
Check.
2. The injury must occur prior to the start of the second half of the season.
Check.
3. The student-athlete must not have competed in more than 30% of the season or three contests, whichever is greater.
Check.
4. The injury must be incapacitating. That means it must be a season-ending injury.
Uhhh.
Well, not exactly.
The problem is that this isn’t an OSU decision, it’s an NCAA decision. Lunt can apply for a medical redshirt but the NCAA holds the cards. And there are two Gundy quotes that aren’t exactly going to be favorable IF OSU decides to go the redshirt route:
Gundy says Wes Lunt was available to play. #okstate
— Gina Mizell (@ginamizell) October 14, 2012
Gundy on Lunt: “He could have played today. … We want to make sure he’s healthy before we put him in because he’s a freshman.” #okstate
— Kelly Hines (@KellyHinesTW) October 20, 2012
Let’s look at a similar situation with Michigan last season. Backup QB Devin Gardner hurt his back and even though he was “still able to do stuff” according to Brady Hoke he applied for a medical redshirt following a season in which he only played three games (sound familiar?)
Here’s the weird part though, Gardner and Michigan won’t find out until the end of his career whether or not the redshirt will be granted.
Wait, what?
Yep, the NCAA won’t give him an answer until after his fourth season of college football.
The entire process is a shady one (he’s hurt but he still “does stuff!”) and Lunt would likely be in the same boat if he doesn’t play in any more games this season.
“I was hurt!”
“You warmed up for Kansas and Iowa State!”
“Here’s my doctor’s note!”
It also probably doesn’t help things that Gundy is calling him day-to-day right now.
So the two options are as follows:
1. Play a probably-not-100% Lunt using Clint Chelf as his backup.
2. Play the season out with Chelf and take your chances with the NCAA giving Lunt a redshirt.
I vote for option 1 and I’m pretty sure Gundy will too.
Also, I’m not saying the NCAA wouldn’t give him a redshirt, just that it’s not a done deal like everybody (literally everybody) is writing and saying. OSU doesn’t get to choose, only apply to an organization that…uh…hasn’t exactly ruled favorably in a lot of its past pleas.
So the one carry that Walsh had against Arizona is what might/will cost him a redshirt opp? That sucks.
He played against Savannah State too.
If Chelf gets the start we are doomed
I wouldn’t say this outright. I think he is still capable. I think the coaches decided to focus more on the future than on a player that did not have much time left at OSU. And at around the same skill level and relatively the same experience that wasn’t too hard of a decision. That being said I would much rather have Lunt/Walsh just from what I have seen. They’re more exciting to watch.
Word is Chelf spoke to Monken after the KU game and was pretty pissed. One of the issues coaches have mentioned with him previously is his lack of fire/passion. Was also an issue for Lunt initially. You never know in this game, it’s all about performing when the chips are down. If he gets his chance, I wouldn’t be surprised if he handled it well.
Chelf was fine early in his college career when he still had hope. I think he’s pretty much given up now that he’s been demoted to 3rd string and it showed in the Louisiana game when he sucked it up. I don’t think a week’s worth of cramming to get up to speed on the offense etc would help THAT much, so I REALLY hope Lunt is good to go against TCU.
Thank you for the timely and informative article.
The injury bug is starting to sound a lot like 2009 when it seems like OSU had 11 players out with injuries (nearly the entire kick-off coverage team).
Godspeed, Cowboys! Get well soon (ASAP).
If OSU pursues a medical redshirt, we will have a huge QB controversy when Del Rio gets to town. Lunt, Walsh, AND Del Rio??!! Someone won’t be happy.
I am amazed that no one seems to understand how good Lunt is. If he’s healthy, he starts. If he’s not, he doesn’t. Simple as that- Del Rio wouldn’t change that status. But you’re right about somebody not being happy.
I’m not sold on Del Rio. He has NOT been playing 4A or 5A ball at a high level of competition. Great kid and “could” be very solid. Do love the connections his dad brings for our team (good for recruiting).
Bummer for Walsh. Hope he can practice this season. I assume he goes into surgery. Possible silver lining is stunting his running a bit may have him really turn himself into much more of passer.
Lunt’s up now and will play if healthy.
O-Line – step up folks – we need our QB’s to stay clean.
Dont forget Dax
I just discovered your site…..great work…fantastic format…thanks